There were in all twelve provinces, about 65 residences and 1500 members.
Their work was as broad as their field, but it was dedicated especially to three several tasks: education, war against the heretic, and foreign missions.

Neither of the first two was particularly contemplated by the founders of the order in their earliest period.

At that time they were rather like the friars, popular preachers, catechists, confessors and charitable workers.

But the exigencies of the time called them to supply other needs.

The education of the young was the natural result of their desire to dominate the intellectual class.